Sri Murugan Hill Temple

Overview

A person from Tamil origin named Shanmugam was the one who initially established the Murugan Hill Temple at Lam San Village.

About The Temple

The Murugam hill temple at Singapore has a distinct structure unlike any other temple in Singapore. The temple has a wedding hall at its basement while the upper floor has the actual temple. A small pond is also proposed to be constructed in front of this shrine. The temple houses Lord Murugan, Lord Vinayagar and Siva-Shakti in three separate sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Other deities like Goddess Durga, Muneeswaran, Mariamman, Periyachi, Lakshmi-Narayanan, Nagar, Bairavar, Idumbar, Muniandy, and the Navagrahas are also present in the temple complex. The shrine even houses a Chinese deity named Kuan Yin.

The temple underwent drastic changes to its structure since the year 1962. In the year 1998, the vigraha of Lord Muruga was consecrated in this hill temple.

Legend and Stories

Shanmugam, the founder of this temple was a plumber attached to the RAF. He spotted a small statue that resembled a shrine of Sri Muneeswaran. He informed about the discovery at a local Staff Union's meeting. Mr. Nagalinggam, the present President of the temple, was also a member of that union then.

In the year 1962, the first pooja for his deity was performed with the support of villagers and RAF employees. This marked the founding of the shrine. A year after, a fire engulfed the neighboring huts surrounding the temple, this bringing a halt to all activities around the place. There after no prayers were held at the shrine which left the shrine neglected.

Sometime later, on the early hours of a Tuesday, Mr. NagaLingam is said to have had a dream. An elderly man dressed in white had knocked at his door and had instructed him to light up the shrine and offer prayers to the deity like before. He had also informed him that doing so would bring in good luck to him and the villagers. Hence Mr. Lingam along with his friends and villagers, began offering prayers to the Lord once again. With the help of a MP named Mr. Tang See Chin, in 1969, the temple was given a temporary permit.

Unfortunately fire broke out once again in the area, burning the nearby huts. Mr.Lingam had a dream again, in which a reddish man had informed him to revamp the shrine by consecrating another deity. Hence they decided to install the vigraha of Lord Muruga and sought permission from the Housing Development Board (HDB) for building the shine. Yet an engineer from HDB was initially reluctant to allow making changes to the present shrine but changed his mind some time later, to everyone’s surprise

The shrine that was initially dedicated to Sri Muneeswaran very soon became a popular Murugan Shrine in Singapore. The main temple priest from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Johore (Malaysia) had also worked meticulously for the establishment of this Muruga Temple.

The temple was given a temporary license for an area of 2000 sq. feet on lot 106 in 21st February, 1973. It was officially registered a month later and thus came the Murugan Hill into existemce. The temple was also fondly called the Murugan Thirukkundram by the local Hindus there. The festival of Panguni Uthiram is the most celebrated festival in this temple where thousands of devotees throng the hill shrine seeking the divine blessings of the Lord. In 1974, Mr. Pappaiya Naidu, a friend of Mr Nagalingam, who was also the committee president was eventually transferred to Changi RAF. Thus Mr. Lingam took over the temple affairs in the due course.

Since the year 1983, Singapore had witnessed fast urbanization which caught up with the Chua Chu Kang area. The temple which was situated in this area too was acquired by the Parks and Recreation Board. By the time, a renowned architect named Mr. Kang Auh Chew had already been appointed to look into the development of the area. Yet the temple wasn't getting sufficient grants for its development. After submitting a number of appeals to the Board, the Land Office, HDB, and MPs, after almost two years of perusal came an alternate solution. They decided to vacate the premise from Lot 106 and started looking out for an alternative site.

The temple was at first proposed to be situated next to a Buddhist temple which was in close proximity to the Chua Chu Kang MRT station. Since the Land Office revoked the permission for building the temple at this locality a couple of weeks later, it was then proposed to be relocated to the Terrace Estate. This site was least desirable since it was located close to a sewage treatment facility. It was also learned that the land at this site was privately owned and hence the chances of acquiring it for the temple was slim. The temple committee was indeed going through a tough phase which everyone believed was the Lord's way of testing their faith and devotion on him. In the year 1991, a final choice was given to the committee to choose the site which is the present location of the temple. This site is about 16km from the Upper Bukit Timah Road and was bought at a cost of $455,273, while a sum of about $1.5 million was still deficit. Mr. Kang continued to be the architect of the temple. The Chye Hiap Construction magnanimosly agreed to monthly payments of $50,000.

In 1992, the temple was relocated to the present site which is on a hillock. On making a number of appeals to the public and well wishers, funds were raised by the temple committee. Mr. Nagalingam who is the president of the temple committee has made numerable sacrifices for making this temple a reality. His long time friend Mr Kang, the architect has also rendered his timely help on many occasions. In May 1993, Balastapanam (a mini consecration ceremony) was held in the temple for installing the deities. Even today, more than a hundred devotees easily visit the temple, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays to worship the Lord. They also made generous contributions. In 1994, the piling works began. The old committee resigned after which a new one was formed. Yet somehow the Lord has been graceful enough to show light to the committee members during difficult times.

Pooja Timing

Raagu Kaala Poojai 3.00 PM, Prathosam 4.00 PM

How To Reach

Airport

The Changi International airport at Singapore is one of the busiest airports of the world with flight connectivity to the countries across the globe.

Railways

Singapore is well connected to Malaysia, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur by rail. There is also a rail route to Bangkok from Singapore. Three trains run in this route everyday from and to the Tanjong Pagar MRT station at Singapore.

Road

Singapore has two prominent causeways that connect the small island to Malaysia and the mainland of Asia. Regular bus services are available from 5 am until midnight. Buses are operated by SBS and Causeway Link, with the latter being a faster option.

Shlokas

Meaning -I always take refuge in the 6 faced Lord Guha, who has sandal paste smeared over his body, who is broad-chested, whose vehicle is the peacock, who is Lord Shiva's son and who leads the army of the Devas.

Meaning -Oh Muruga, we hail your 12 strong shoulders for they protect us from our enemies, we hail your 6 faces, we hail the Vel, your weapon that broke apart the Krounja mountain to reveal the asura in it. We hail the bird, the cock, that is part of your symbol in the flag. We hail your peacock, that takes you all over the world, we hail your consort Devyani, who was brought up by Indra's white elephant, Airavadam, we hail your other consort, the flawless Valli. And we hail your Bhaktas who worship you as a prayer.

Meaning -O Lord Muruga, you have form and you are formless, you have everything and have nothing, you who exist in the smallest, in flowers, in a bell's ring, in the light. You are the embryo, the life, destiny and fate. Bestow your blessings on us as our guru.

Timings

The temple is open from morning 7.00 AM and 12.00 Noon, Evening 6.00 PM to 9:00 PM.